He is surely one of the most successful assistant coaches in FC Barcelona history. Tito Vilanova experienced a difficult season, not only because of the battle with Madrid’s press but most of all due to three months of suffering from stomach disease and Pep Guardiola’s back pain. The following is a translation of some excerpts from an interview published in El Pais (the whole piece can be found here).

El Pais: During his first press conference of the season, Guardiola said that the arrival of Jose Mourinho to Madrid would make him a better coach. Did you improve?

Tito Vilanova: He said that? I think that competition makes you stronger. If there is a higher level and requirements you are forced to improve. Pep has maintained the usual level of the team. It is not easy, relaxation is normal. He is demanding. He has done everything as usual in terms of dedication, but when it comes to achieving a more competitive team he went as far as possible.

El Pais: “Reinventing” the team…

Vilanova: What I meant is that our rivals are more aware of our way of playing, rival coaches are very good and they know us better. All those factors required us to take a little step forward. But it’s not reinventing, rather seeking new things, alternative ways of playing. We couldn’t play as we did in the first year [2008-09]. Not changing anything in our way of playing games could [mean we] end with no titles at all.

El Pais: The team played better than ever?

Vilanova: We’ve managed to play three and four ways in one game, if we noticed problems, Pep alerted the team and ordered another way to play and everyone knew how [to shift]. For example, keeping the same play with Alves running long on the flank or no. Sometimes, we started the game with him at the back and we realized it was not working. It was enough to give the order and everyone knew which mechanisms to activate. We varied the mode of play several times in a game. That can only be achieved with time [spent with the team]. And it has not happened once, but many times. It is not just thanks to the coaching staff.

El Pais: Thanks to who then?

Vilanova: At the end everything depends on the players, their talent, competitiveness, their desire to do things … These players are extremely competitive.

El Pais: What was the most difficult part of this year?

Vilanova: The hardest thing was of course the illness of Abidal. But in the case of the sporting aspect it was hard too. We had to win with this team. We had to prove that we were able to handle a group of elite players. This year has been also difficult because of the World Cup and it was hard, we had no references [previous experiences with similar situations]. It was difficult also because of injuries: Puyol, Xavi started the season with problems, Pedro … There was a time when we prayed for Piqué. An injury to him would have been a tragedy for us, we had no idea how to replace him, we would fail. It would be terrible. He went through a difficult time [in his private life], but he was behaving wonderfully. Pique’s season was perfect, a huge merit. And of course, this year has been very complicated because we have been attacked a lot.

El Pais: The most critical moment?

Vilanova: Abidal’s illness. That’s beyond anything. He is loved in the locker room. It would be hard to fight against any other illness, but against a disease like Abi’s …

El Pais: The allegations of doping, complaining about referees … How did you handle it?

Vilanova: We were angry, but thought: “Let’s see what will be the next silliness.” We knew it’s an organized campaign, where it came from, who directs it, and why. I was worried about injuries.

El Pais: Who led [this campaign of allegations]?

Vilanova: No need to say, it is very clear. Every three months with some new excuse. The worst thing was of course that about the doping. We are a team that doesn’t require physical strength, which has 80% possession of the ball …

El Pais: What about Mourinho?

Vilanova: He is a coach who has won many titles.

El Pais: Do you think the club [the board] has protected the team enough?

Vilanova: If they didn’t do more it’s because we wanted such a level of protection. We have been protected as much as we needed. They have always been at our side.

El Pais: How do you feel about next season?

Vilanova: I do not know what else can be said to discredit us. We worry about what is in our hands, we need to seek new resources to be more competitive. We are fortunate that many players are young. They want to keep winning and they themselves seek new challenges. At the last training session, after winning the title, our goodbye was “next year we will fight for the fourth league, Club World Cup, the Champions …”. Only three days earlier they won at Wembley and still wanted more.

El Pais: Can this team be improved?

Vilanova: I think so. After the treble it seemed impossible and we did it, the team is at a very high level, but we must find details for further improvement. We do not need more players, we need additional footballers who will make the team more complete, will help us be better. We must find players with different skills to what we have now.

El Pais: Guardiola said the club should find resources to keep Messi not bored and it was interpreted that Leo can decide about the next signings.

Vilanova: No way, no! What we think is that Leo is special, he is player with special conditions. There is no one like him nor will there be. Players who surround him need some specific features that will allow Messi to show his quality.

El Pais: Xavi said he [Messi] learned to play the game. Can you explain it a bit?

Vilanova: He is a like sponge [soaking up everything]. Very clever. With Leo you don’t have to talk much because he gets everything very quickly. At the time of maximum tension and difficulty he is able to make something even better.